Fate/Blackened Sugar

[] Say nothing. Just eat it all. Suck it up and finish what she made.

You... You steeled yourself. This was nothing compared to the training you endured as a child. Not only that but Assassin worked hard on it. It would incredibly rude were you to push it away now. You decided to suck it up and brace yourself.

Taking your chopsticks, you began to eat in earnest. You didn't know what happened after that. You must have blacked out but by the time you came to your senses, you finished the bowl and you were downing the water, washing down the horribleness you just experienced.

You felt like you just ate Gu itself just without the toxic properties or the cursed effects. Ah, you weren't a coward! No!

You're no coward, you can eat a cute girl's homemade breakfast. Your made of sterner stuff, Hans Derrinsmith, you will not vomit.

Oh god. You needed to shed your... Humani-

.....

Ah.

You turned to Assassin and gave her a thumbs up.

"Not bad," you breathed as you smiled at her. You wanted to die now.

Assassin blinked before cracking a smile, "Thank you. I was always told that I wasn't cut out for it..."

Ah, that's a good smile. But you can't pass out yet.

"It was fine," you lied as naturally as you breathed.

"Then, would it be okay if I made dinner later as well?" Assassin asked you with a nervous look.

"It's fine!" You gasped, startling her, a wild light in your eyes.

"Eh?" Assassin seemed confused by that.

You blinked before rubbing your forehead, "I mean, sure you're a Servant but you don't have to take it literally. You're my partner for this war, I can't treat you like some lowly maid. I'm so callous as to ask that of you."

"I... I see," Assassin said with that small smile of hers.

"Thanks for the food. I think we can begin working now," you said as you pushed the tray aside.

Assassin nodded as she took your tray to the miniature kitchen and left them on the sink. She then returned as you got your hand on your cane and leaned on it as you sat.

"So let's make things clear at the moment. The war has already started with four Servants appearing before us last night," you reviewed as you glanced at the map, "There's Saber, a Japanese man with a straw hat and katana with the ability to move at inhuman speeds with lightning trailing behind him. There's Berserker, a tall British man with two large blades and a penchant for brawling. Caster made their presence known by the fire demon they manifested and the carpet which whisked the Grail away, however they've yet to fully show themselves... And finally."

"The Servant I saw. I wasn't able to discern his class but he wore a dark armor and fought mostly with his fists and feet," Assassin recalled as she thought back.

"Yes. He was facing the fire demon alone but seemed to be holding back. He did dispatch it in one blow with an unknown weapon once I got to the area," you said as you met her gaze, "So that's three confirmed Servants, one unnamed, and two unaccounted for."

"The unnamed Servant didn't have any weapon... So it's difficult to pin him as either Lancer or Archer. But he didn't have a recognizable mount either. He was cautious," Assassin noted as she looked at her hands, "But... His appearance seemed to be familiar."

"I saw his armor. It's not one of Japanese make. It looked hyper advanced. Too advanced to make sense of," you said as you leaned back, "Perhaps you fought him in another Grail war? Memories that are powerful enough may be engraved in your Spirit Origin, even if you don't remember them in full."

"It's... Possible," Assassin said as she rubbed her arm.

"We'll make note of that man and stay clear of him in the future. Right now, we have to plan out our routine for the next few days. With Caster retrieving the Grail, the other Masters are most likely to go and track them down," you said as you got up your feet.

"So what's your plan?" Assassin asked as she followed you with her gaze.

"Well... First and foremost, I need to get some updated information. The list of Magi present in the city must have a new version waiting now. I want to go retrieve it from my employees," you said as you glanced at her, "I'll be going out to meet them just so this hideout won't be compromised."

"And what of the people pursuing you?" The Servant asked with a sharp look.

You cracked a smile, "Well, I have a few tricks up my sleeve. But don't worry your pretty little head. I'm quite good at running."

Assassin quickly glanced at your bum leg.

"When it matters. We have two priorities for this war, Assassin. That's keeping you out of sight and out of mind," you told her as you took the outdated list and burned it in your hand, "And the second will be letting the other Servants kill each other. We'll hide until we can no longer bear it but that doesn't mean we'll be idle. We still need to kill Masters and take the Grail for ourselves."

The Servant stood up from her seat and knelt down with her head low, "I will do as you command."

"Prepare for our trip. Oh and uh... You can leave that parka here. It might be too bright and mess with your stealth," you told her with a small smile.

Assassin stood up and looked at her Arts Parka. She rubbed her shoulder as she said, "It's warm..."

"We'll be back soon," you assured her with a nod.

.....
....
...

Using the phone you looted a couple nights ago, you sent your employees a message. You have taken the necessary measures to make sure you were hidden. You limped forward with your cane before finally seeing your destination.

It was a mall. It was filled with people at this time of year with Christmas being around the corner. The holiday season was in full throttle at this point. You passed by some families as they were off to do their shopping.

You entered the mall with no interruptions as you limped through the entrance. You walked all the way to the central bench before taking a break there.

You watched the people pass by while you felt Assassin nearby. She was currently in her Spirit form but you hoped to get her acquainted with these sorts of places some more, maybe she would enjoy herself more had you not had a war to fight.

Someone took their seat by your side and set down their shopping bags. It was an elderly gentleman taking a break as well, a sigh leaving his lips.

You gave Assassin the signal and she took her leave to guard the area. You drew a rune on the ground so that the conversation would only be between you and the gentleman.

"Sir Hans. It is good to see that you are well," the old man said without looking at you.

"Mr. Simon... I trust that everything is as I left it?" You asked with a relaxed tone.

"Of course, sir. Though I would implore you to finish this war quickly. We would prefer if you spoke to the investors by the start of the next quarter," Simon said with a nod.

"Ugh... I'll keep that in mind. Handle them for me for now. Do you have what I need?" You asked as you glanced at him.

"A new list of the mages that have arrived in the city," Simon said as he handed you a piece of paper. You took it and inspected it.

"Two big names are of note. The rest remain unchanged. Phamrsolone is being monitored by our intelligence group and so are these two new ladies. Intel has noted that they had visited the church just yesterday. Their likely to be participants but..." Simon trailed off at the end as you read their names.

"Shit. Edelfelt and Matou?" You blinked as you frowned. The pictures... You saw these two at the church a day ago.

You were also attacked then by something.

"I'll handle this, Simon. Thanks," you replied as you sighed.

"Sir, if I may speak my mind... Do not burden yourself by fighting alone. Your company and the people you've helped, we are all in your debt," Simon said as he stood up, "Take care of yourself, sir."

You blinked before nodding, "Don't worry. I have a capable Servant."

Your employee walked away leaving you alone with your new list. This wasn't good... But Simon was right. These two are likely to be Masters.

You knew where they were staying thanks to your network. They're likely to fortify their position... They should be working to find Caster so this might be your chance to do something.

[] Order Assassin to conduct an investigation. You want to know what these two are up to and possibly find their Servant if they're participants. You need information...
[] Perhaps you can arrange a meeting. You've heard of the Edelfelt and Matou, perhaps they'll be open to working with you on this war? You can't compromise Assassin's existence though.
[] Order Assassin to look into their defenses and have her dismantle them. Once she has an opening, she needs to eliminate these two. On the off-chance they're not Masters, it should stir the others into moving. Dead Magi are sure to disturb the impasse.